Iceland Travel Guide logo Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND My trip Talk to a local

3 Day Golden Circle & South Coast Tour with Ice Cave

3 days, 2 nightsGroup: Small group, up to 18 guests per guideModerateSmall-group minibus from ReykjavíkAge 8+All year
5.0(1 review)
Visitor inside a blue ice caveIcebergs on the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoonThe Reynisdrangar sea stacks seen from the cave at ReynisfjaraFjaðrárgljúfur canyon
Svartifoss waterfall and its basalt columns

A 3 day Golden Circle and South Coast tour by small-group minibus from Reykjavík. You see the Golden Circle and the South Coast waterfalls, visit Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach, spend about 2 hours on the ice with a certified glacier guide, and stay two nights in countryside hotels.

Þingvellir National ParkGeysir and GullfossSeljalandsfoss and SkógafossJökulsárlón and Diamond BeachIce cave with a glacier guideReynisfjara black sand beach
  • The Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss
  • About 2 hours on the ice with a certified glacier guide, with all glacier equipment included
  • Icebergs at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and ice on Diamond Beach
  • Reynisfjara, Skógafoss and Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon on the way back
  • Two nights in countryside hotels with private bathrooms and breakfast
  • Chances to look for the Northern Lights away from city lights

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Pick-up in ReykjavíkPick-up at 9:00 from your hotel or a nearby pick-up point in Reykjavík. Collecting everyone can take up to 30 minutes.
2Path through the Almannagjá gorge at ÞingvellirDay 1: Golden Circle and SeljalandsfossÞingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss and Seljalandsfoss.
Path through the Almannagjá gorge at ÞingvellirGullfoss waterfallSeljalandsfoss waterfall

You start at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO site between the tectonic plates. Then the Geysir hot spring area, where Strokkur erupts every 10 minutes or so, and the powerful Gullfoss waterfall. On a clear day you may see Hekla on the way south to Seljalandsfoss, before your first night in a countryside hotel in South Iceland.

Overnight · countryside hotel in South IcelandMeals · breakfast the next morning includedEvening · Northern Lights if skies are clear
Read our Seljalandsfoss guide →
3Icebergs on the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoonDay 2: Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach and the iceIcebergs, black sand and about 2 hours on the ice with a glacier guide.
Icebergs on the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoonVisitor beside a block of ice on Diamond BeachVisitor inside a blue ice cave

Jökulsárlón is a lagoon full of icebergs, and across the road pieces of ice wash up on the black sand of Diamond Beach. From October to April you join a certified glacier guide on Vatnajökull for a glacier hike and a natural ice cave. In summer you visit the Katla Ice Cave near Vík instead. The day also takes in Skaftafell, and the night is in the Skaftafell area.

October to April · glacier hike and ice cave on VatnajökullSummer · Katla Ice CaveTime on the ice · roughly 2 hoursEquipment · all glacier and safety equipment included
Read our Jökulsárlón guide →
4Fjaðrárgljúfur canyonDay 3: South Coast and the drive backFjaðrárgljúfur canyon, Eldhraun lava field, Reynisfjara and Skógafoss.
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyonThe Reynisdrangar sea stacks seen from the cave at ReynisfjaraSkógafoss waterfall

If the weather allows you visit Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, then cross the moss-covered Eldhraun lava field. Near Vík you stop at Reynisfjara, the black sand beach with basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. Reynisfjara has dangerous sneaker waves, so keep well back from the water. The last big stop is Skógafoss before the drive back to Reykjavík.

Walking · short, easy walksSafety · never turn your back on the waves at Reynisfjara
5Back to ReykjavíkDrop-off in Reykjavík between about 16:00 and 19:00 on day 3.

About the 3 day Golden Circle and South Coast tour

Can't choose between the Golden Circle and the South Coast? This 3 day tour does both. Day one is the Golden Circle and Seljalandsfoss, day two is Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach and the ice, and day three brings you back along the South Coast past Reynisfjara and Skógafoss. You stay two nights in the countryside, so on clear nights from September to April you have a real chance to look for the Northern Lights.

The ice experience is the core of the trip. From October to April you join a certified glacier guide on Vatnajökull for a glacier hike and a natural ice cave. In summer you visit the Katla Ice Cave near Vík instead. Either way you spend roughly 2 hours on the ice, and all glacier and safety equipment is included. You should be able to walk comfortably for about 2 hours on easy outdoor terrain, and you need sturdy hiking boots for the crampons.

Expect about 300 km and 4 to 5 hours in the minibus each day, with stops for sightseeing, breaks and lunch. The guide may change the order of stops because of weather and road conditions. Ice caves change all the time, so the cave will not look exactly like the photos, and the Northern Lights are never guaranteed.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost
  • Single room
  • Luggage storage
  • Hiking boot rental
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers rental
  • Ice grips for your shoes, to buy (October to April)

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík
  • Guided small-group minibus tour with an English-speaking guide
  • Free Wi-Fi on board
  • Ice experience with a certified glacier guide (glacier hike and ice cave in winter, Katla Ice Cave in summer)
  • All necessary glacier and safety equipment
  • 2 nights in hotel rooms with private bathrooms
  • Breakfast at the hotels on days 2 and 3
  • Northern Lights hunting from September to April when conditions allow

Not included

  • Lunch and dinner
  • Drinks
  • Gear rental (available as an extra)
  • Single room supplement (optional)

What to bring

  • Warm layers and thermal underwear (top and bottom)
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Sturdy hiking boots (needed for crampons; rentals available)
  • Hat, scarf and gloves
  • Money or a card for lunch and dinner
  • One small backpack and one bag for the nights

Good to know

  • 3 days and 2 nights, starting and ending in Reykjavík; back between about 16:00 and 19:00 on day 3
  • Minimum age 8 (children 8 to 15 pay the child price)
  • Moderate: you should be able to walk about 2 hours on easy outdoor terrain
  • Pick-up at 9:00 in Reykjavík; it can take up to 30 minutes to collect everyone
  • Runs all year: glacier hike and ice cave on Vatnajökull from October to April, Katla Ice Cave in summer
  • Rooms are twin as standard; double or triple rooms are available at no extra charge
  • Luggage: one small backpack and one bag of up to 20 kg per person, with combined dimensions of no more than 158 cm; extra bags can be stored in Reykjavík for a fee
  • Small group, with one guide for up to 18 guests
  • Northern Lights are never guaranteed
  • The itinerary can change because of weather and road conditions

Questions people ask

Is the ice cave guaranteed?

No. Ice caves are natural and change all the time, so the cave will not look exactly like the photos, and the guides only go in when it is safe.

Does the tour run in summer?

Yes, it runs all year. In summer the ice experience is the Katla Ice Cave near Vík instead of Vatnajökull.

How fit do I need to be?

You should be able to walk comfortably for about 2 hours on easy outdoor terrain. You can skip the glacier activity if you prefer.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast buffet at the hotels on days 2 and 3. Lunch and dinner are not included; the guide picks lunch stops with a good choice of food.

Will we see the Northern Lights?

Maybe. Staying in the countryside gives you good chances on clear nights from September to April, but the aurora is never guaranteed.

I am travelling alone. Do I share a room?

If you do not pay the single supplement, you share a room with another guest of the same gender. Pay the supplement if you want your own room.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.
5.0Based on 1 review
5 stars1
4 stars0
3 stars0
2 stars0
1 star0
Amazing time in Iceland

I recently had the pleasure of embarking on the 3-day Golden Circle and South Coast tour in Iceland, and I have to say it was the trip of a lifetime! From start to finish, the tour was well-organized and packed with exciting activities that allowed us to experience Iceland's natural wonders up close.Our guide was absolutely fantastic - knowledgeable, friendly, and always ready to go the extra mile to ensure we had a great time. Thanks to their expertise, we were able to explore Iceland with fresh eyes and gain a deeper appreciation for the country's unique culture and history.One of the highlights of the tour was the Golden Circle, where we visited the Geysir hot spring area and witnessed the incredible Strokkur geyser erupting every few minutes. We also visited Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park, both of which were awe-inspiring and provided ample opportunities for stunning photos.The South Coast portion of the tour was equally impressive, taking us to some of Iceland's most stunning natural attractions. We visited the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara, hiked to the top of the Sólheimajökull glacier, and explored the majestic Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls.Overall, I can't recommend this tour enough. Whether you're an adventure seeker, nature lover, or just looking for a unique travel experience, the 3-day Golden Circle and South Coast tour is an absolute must-do when visiting Iceland. So, pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable journey!

John L. · April 2023
From129,990 ISKPer person

Other multi-day trips

3 Day Iceland Winter Tour3 Day Iceland Winter TourFrom 123,548 ISK2 Day South Coast Tour2 Day South Coast TourFrom 80,404 ISK2 Day South Coast Private Tour2 Day South Coast Private TourFrom 659,980 ISK
More tours like this:3-day tours in IcelandSouth Coast toursIceland travel packages and itinerariesAll categories →
Our guides to places on this tour:GeysirGullfossJökulsárlónReykjavíkReynisfjaraSeljalandsfossSkógafossDiamond Beach
From129,990 ISK